In previous topics I've described what kind of problems you can face during SQL Server core installations and I think to make the picture fully clear I have to cover the preparation steps of installing and configuring Windows Core for SQL Server installation.

As usually I do everything step by step:

Step #1. Setting up Virtual machine in Hyper-V

You can do your exercise in VMWare as well. In My case I have native Hyper-V App on my Windows 8 Pro laptop.
After you install your Hyper-V application and run it you create new virtual machine:

In the "Actions" panel click "New" and choose "Virtual Machine"

On the next screen click "Next"

On that screen Name your new Virtual Machine. In my case it is "SQL Core".
Then mark a checkbox "Store the virtual machine in different location" and specify the location where you want to keep your new VM. You might skip that step, but I prefer to keep everything under mine control and in case I need to do a cleanup I know which folder to delete to get some extra space.
After making the change click "Next"

On that screen change radio button to "Generation 2" and click "Next."

By default Hyper-V suggests me to use 512Mb memory, but I change it to 4Gb. Click "Next" after the change.

The last screen where you have to review your settings and start new Virtual Machine creation by clicking "Finish" button.
In very few moments your virtual machine will be created.

The very first thing you have to do after that is to create a checkpoint:
Do Right Click on your new VM and choose "Checkpoint"

As a result it will create a new record in "Checkpoint" panel:

I renamed that record to "VM Original setup" :

You might need that checkpoint of your VM in case you decide to reinstall Windows. In that case you wouldn't have to recreate the machine. That is just a saving point for the first step.

Step #2. Windows Core Installation.

At first, do right click on your virtual machine click "Start" and then click "Connect"

In case you set your VM correctly you'll get the following screen:

You have to hit any button within 5 seconds, otherwise VM will try to run not from your image, but from the network. In case you were late, just shot it down and restart.

If your windows image is accepted you have to get following screen:

Here just click "Next"

Click "Install now"

Click blue sign "I do not have a product key", that will activate 180 days evaluation.

On that screen choose the very first item. It does not say "Core", which is pretty confusing. However, having words "Desktop Experience" for another installation leads me to an idea that "Core" is a new default standard of Windows.

Read the document, mark checkbox and hit "Next".

Obviously, on that screen you choose the second option.

We do not have to do anything with our 10Gb drive. Just hit "Next"

Installation has started

After a while you get following screen:

To satisfy the requirement, you have to virtually press "Ctrl-Alt-Del" using Hyper-V or VMWare interface or just press "Ctrl-Alt-End" on your keyboard.

Say OK and hit Enter.

Enter new password. For that demo I'm using password: "LocalAdmin2016"

Say OK.

And you are done with Windows Core Install!!!

The last thing you have to do: create another checkpoint for your VM

And then Rename it to "After Windows Installation"

Actually, by doing that I was little bit surprised. There is ABSOLUTELY NO Interface! NONE! Zero!

Step #3. Establishing Network connection.

If you setup your network adapter and virtual switch correctly that step has to be short and easy for you.

Second (guru way): Use PowerShell.
Because the first way is already discovered, we go the second way.

1. In your shared folder Create a file "WinCoreConfig.PS1", copy-pase following PowerShell script into that file and save it. In my case path to this file is: "L:\Temp\WinCore\Scripts\Config_Batch.PS1"

Step #6. Establish PowerShell connection.

1. On your local computer start PowerShell session.2. run following set of command in PowerShell (Credits to http://www.howtogeek.com/117192/how-to-run-powershell-commands-on-remote-computers/) ON ONE BY ONE BASIS: